Jomo Kenyatta: Light of Kenya

"This freedom is yours – yours for the rest of your life, to pass on to your children and your children’s children. Freedom!"
Jomo Kenyatta, President of Kenya

Born c.1893, Kenya’s founding father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, brought the light of independence from the British colonialists. He served as the country's first Prime Minister and went on to be the first Kenyan President from 1963 to his death in 1978.

Kenyatta stands as a hero. He gave birth to a nation and set in motion the foundation for Pan-Africanism and for East Africa’s largest economy. 

His popularity grew in the late 1940s when he spearheaded the African militant movement, the Mau Mau, to set Kenya free from its colonialists. For this, Kenyatta was sentenced to seven years with hard labour. Upon release, his resolve and his followers were even stronger. 

“Injustice, corruption and open displacement bred the Mau Mau uprising. The response from the British was brutal and ruthless. It was the worst form of reaction ever visited in any colony of the British. They sent their best soldiers, the Royal Fusiliers, to stem the uprising using terror tactics to quell an internal insurrection.” 
Wanjohi Kabukuru, a Kenyan investigative journalist

Post World War II, the British Empire was shrinking and faced financial difficulties. By the 1960s, Britain was making plans to pull out. Kenyatta’s party, KANU, won the elections in Kenya in 1963. He was sworn in as Prime Minister and the path to independence was paved. 

On 12 December 1963, Mohamed Amin documented the official ceremony ending British colonial rule in Kenya. Prince Philip and President Jomo Kenyatta, the first Kenyan president, were both in attendance. That was the moment for which all Kenyans had been waiting. The struggle for independence had been long and bitter. 

On 12 December 1963, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta became Kenya's first President. He would meet world leaders to foster new alliances while encouraging unity within the country by bringing all races together. He abolished racial segregation in social clubs and schools and worked hard to create a Kenyan national culture and identity.

“We must show the world that some of them have been wrong, that some of them have misunderstood us. And it’s only by our actions they will know that we mean business.”
Jomo Kenyatta, President of Kenya

On 22 August 1978, a phone call greeted the then Vice President Daniel Arap Moi with distressing and shocking news. It was the Coast Provincial Commissioner, Eliud Mahihu. He said, “the eyes of Kenya have been closed.” 

His Excellency, President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Father of the Nation and Commander in Chief of Kenya’s Armed Forces, had died peacefully in his sleep.

Mzee Kenyatta’s funeral plans had started back in 1968, following a heart attack. Although he had recovered and continued to execute his duties as President, a close-knit group of government officials still went ahead with plans for his future funeral. The casket was made while Kenyatta was still alive.

On 31 August 1978, dignitaries from around the world flew in to pay their last respects to Mzee. The national flag flew at half-mast all over the country for a whole month. 

“I find it painful to speak about Mzee Jomo Kenyatta who has been my father, my teacher and my leader. Here lies the man whose life was dedicated to the service of each and every one of us. His strength and courage have been a source of inspiration through times of hardship and and fear … His unwavering devotion to peace, unity and dignity of mankind has been an example to us all.” 
President Daniel Arap Moi at the funeral of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta

"Our children may learn about heroes of the past. Our task is to make ourselves architects of the future."
Jomo Kenyatta, President of Kenya